Prime Minister Hon. Peter O’Neill has welcomed the tabling in Parliament of the 2015 national budget by Treasury Minister Patrick Pruaitch.

In welcoming the document, the Prime Minister said the gravity and importance of the annual budget was appreciated by all members of the Government. "The outcome of budget decisions have a direct impact on every man, woman and child in Papua New Guinea,” Prime Minister Hon. Peter O’Neill said in a statement.

"For this reason the national Government must be careful, disciplined and forward thinking in each budget that we hand down. "Spending must reach the people and improve their lives, and revenue must be raised in the modern world economy that continues to evolve and offer both increased challenges and opportunities.

"In recent years, the people of our country have experienced an improvement in health, lifestyle and economic opportunity that has never before been experienced in our country. "Our Government will continue to manage the economic affairs of our nation in a way that will continue to improve their lives."